About Home Loan

Getting the Bait on Good Home Loan Terms Despite Bad Credit Score

Getting a home loan is just like getting recognition at the end of each academic year in school. Before you are awarded of any recognition, you must comply with the requirements for such recognition. For instance, before you will be given an academic award, you must first satisfy the required general weighted average on each or all subjects. Other awards also follows particular criteria before it would be awarded to deserving students at the end of the school year.

The same thing also goes in securing a home loan. There are certain requirements that you must meet before you will be able to secure a home loan. One of which is that you must possess a good credit rating.

However, despite the wide availability of home loans, there are still thousands of individuals who failed to secure home loans merely because they possess a bad credit score. They are not fully aware that any delinquency in paying their outstanding loans caused the “stain” in their credit record, thus they would be having a hard time securing a good home loan.

In other words, possessing a bad credit score simply means you are giving the lender reason to get more money from you through giving you home loans with high interest payments. You want to secure a home loan because you do not have enough money to finance the purchase of your new home, and yet you will be given a financial burden if you insist on getting a home loan despite of your bad credit score. That would be a terrible situation for your part.

Fortunately, there are still loan options for you despite your possession of a bad credit score. There are commercial lenders who offer bad credit home loan for individuals who are having a hard time securing a loan to finance the purchase of their new home. However, bear in mind that because of your bad credit standing, you will automatically become a “great risk” to the lender. Thus, expect that they will charge you higher interest rate as an assurance that you will be able to repay your home loans in the agreed period of time.

Bad credit score will really put you in a situation wherein it is you who is on the bottom of the wheel. Thus, you need to strongly convince your preferred lender that you are still worthy of another chance and not be a risk to them. How to do it? Have a look on the following guidelines and make sure that you will follow them.

Research for the best available bad credit home loan offer in the market. You may prefer visiting various commercial lenders and financial institutions in your local area to know their terms and conditions as well as their rate of interest for home loans with bad credit score. In addition, a personal contact inside these financial institutions could be of great help in your credit problem.

Cleanse your credit rating while there is still time for you to do so. If there are incorrect entries posted in your account, it is best that you call the attention of the authority with regards to this matter and have them clear your record of any incorrect rating. You may also ask for some certification from your previous lenders clearing you of any financial obligations. In this way, the recovery of your credit rating will be in place before you can secure another loan.

Getting a home loan with bad credit score could really be a daunting task. But if you manage to clear your rating in the shortest time possible, you will be able to secure a home loan that will not be a financial burden to your part later on.

Read more »

Cheap Homes

When it comes to real estate, it’s really hard to beat a cheap home. Cheap homes are very affordable, and ideal for those on a budget. For real estate agents, these types of homes represent a way to buy a home at a low price, build it up some more, then sale it for a large price. Making money with real estate is easy to do - no matter how you look at it.

Although you can find cheap homes throughout the United States, some will obviously be better than others. Some are in great neighborhoods, giving you plenty to see and plenty to do all around you. On the other hand, most towns that offer the cheapest homes normally have a bad situation when it comes to the job market. They can be great to retire to or settle down in if you own a business, although they aren’t great if you need a job. Internet marketers and writers are finding these areas, are flocking to them at a very fast pace.

You can also save quite a bit of money by buying a home that is less expensive, but still fits your needs. What this means, is buying a home in the inexpensive areas of your town, or buying a home that is cheap in price. You shouldn’t be focused on one type of home or neighborhood, but instead look at your available options and compare prices.

Keep in mind that buying cheap homes doesn’t necessarily mean buying a run down place or buying your home in a bad part of town. You can get a cheap home in a great neighborhood, if you weight your options accordingly. If you shop around and look at different areas, you might find yourself very surprised at just how many homes are available at cheap prices.

Before you purchase a home, you can save a lot of money if you know how to negotiate with the real estate agent. Although a home may have a higher price than you are willing to pay, you can shave quite a bit of the price off through negotiating. If you learn just a few of the simple techniques of negotiating, you can save a lot of money. Each and every day, hundreds of people get cheap homes by negotiating with real estate agents.

In some cases, you can end up paying the full price of a home and still end up spending less than someone else might spend. Although price has an impact, financing is also an area that can help to make a home more affordable. If you get a low interest rate, you’ll save a lot of money when you buy the home. There are several ways that you can save money through your finance options, which is why you should always research what’s available to you before you buy.

Before you decide to buy a home, you should always think things through and be sure to look around different areas and neighborhoods. Even though there are many cheap homes out there, you can get just as good of a deal through negotiating. Most cheap homes sell very quick, which is why you should always be on the lookout for one. When you find a cheap home that fits your needs, you should act on it. Contact the agent, take a tour of the home, then decide if the price and the features are indeed what you’ve been looking for. If it isn’t - simply forget about the house and start looking for another one.

Read more »

What is an LLM?

The LL.M. (Master of Laws) is an internationally recognized postgraduate law degree. It is usually obtained by completing a one-year full-time program. The LL.M. is a higher academic degree, comparable to an MBA in business and management. Law students and professionals frequently pursue the LL.M. to gain expertise in a specialized field of law, for example in the area of tax law or international law. Many law firms prefer job candidates with an LL.M. degree because it indicates that a lawyer has acquired advanced, specialized legal training, and is qualified to work in a multinational legal environment.

In most countries, lawyers are not required to hold an LL.M. degree, and many do not choose to obtain one. An LL.M. degree by itself generally does not qualify graduates to practice law. In most cases, LL.M. students must first obtain a professional degree in law, e.g. the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in the United Kingdom or the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in the United States, and pass a bar exam or the equivalent exam in other countries, such as the Zweites Staatsexamen in Germany. While the general curriculum of the LL.B. and J.D. is designed to give students the basic skills and knowledge to become lawyers, law students wishing to specialize in a particular area can continue their studies with an LL.M. program. Some universities also consider students for their LL.M. program who hold degrees in other related areas, or have expertise in a specific area of law.

Graduation requirements for an LL.M. program vary depending on the respective university guidelines. Some programs are research-oriented and require students to write a thesis, while others only offer a number of classes that students must take to complete the course of study. Many LL.M. programs combine both coursework and research. Part-time programs are also available for professionals wishing to complete their LL.M. while working full-time.

Prospective students should be aware that there is no universal definition for the term LL.M. It is used in different ways by institutions around the world. Particularly in the United States and Germany, LL.M. programs are often designed to teach foreign lawyers the basic legal principles of the host country. In this regard, the LL.M. can help lawyers seeking to relocate and practice in another country, or expand their area of practice to multinational issues. The completion of an LL.M. program, however, does not automatically qualify foreign students to take the bar exam in their host country. In the U.S., for example, some states allow foreign lawyers to seek admission to the bar upon completion of an LL.M., while in other states, a J.D. is required.

LL.M. is an abbreviation of the Latin Legum Magister, which means Master of Laws. In Latin, the plural form of a word is abbreviated by repeating the letter. Hence, "LL." is short for "laws." Legum is the possessive plural form of the Latin word lex, which means "specific laws", as opposed to the more general concept embodied in the word jus, from which the word juris and the modern English word "justice" are derived.

Read more »

Good or Bad Idea?

Learning About Cash Back Credit Cards: Good or Bad Idea?

Getting a credit card that offers cash back always sounds like a good idea. What could be better than getting cash back on all the purchases that you make with your credit card? It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

Well, there are cards that give you free cash, but it is usually only around 1% cash back. However, free money is free money, right? Well, sometimes.

If you like to buy a lot of things in one month, this kind of credit card probably sounds great to you. However, you need to keep in mind that they are not going to give you cash back on every purchase that you make. Even if they claim to give you cash back on every purchase, they will only give you up to a certain amount per transaction. The company also has a strict limit on the amount that they will give back to their customers. If you read the little, bitty print on the form that you signed, you will see a paragraph with their limits in the terms and agreements.

This is another way to try to draw in new customers for these companies. It is a good credit card to have and sounds great in theory, but they will have to check your credit rating before they will give you their card.

Research different credit card companies to see what they are offering. You may be surprised to find a cash back credit card that offers you just what you need and want with a high cash back percentage, few limits on the amount they will give you back, and instant cash deposits when you make each purchase with their card.

Although these credit cards seem like a great thing to have, some companies will need your credit rating to be great too. However, there are credit card companies that offer these cards to people with a low credit rating to help them rebuild their credit. Research all of your options.

What should your decision be? If you have a good credit rating, then this card is a great option for you. Research different card companies – there are cards out there that offer you up to 3% cash back and impose very few limits. If, however, you have a bad credit rating, you may want to find a credit card that will help you rebuild your credit.

Read more »

Real estate law: Not for you?

Real estate is indeed one of the safest investments and a lot of people use real estate as an investment avenue. Real estate law is not the forte of real estate attorneys and real estate agents only. Every real estate investor should understand at least the basics of real estate law. In fact, a short course or a concise book on real estate law can sometimes be of great help (and is generally sufficient for understanding the basics of real estate law).

What you need to understand is the real estate law with respect to the legal procedures that you need to follow for ensuring a smooth transfer of title to the property you acquire/sell and other related procedures. You need to understand the fee structure (e.g. stamp duty, etc) that you need to take care of as per real estate law. You can also understand the classification of properties and how the basic real estate law applies to them. How the commercial and residential properties are treated differently by the real estate law. The tax laws with respect to real estate are one of the things that would be of most interest to you. So, your study on real estate law should also cover all the aspects related to taxes. How mortgages are treated in the perspective of real estate law is another thing that you should know about. Then again, the real estate law with respect to tenancy should also be well understood by people who wish to rent out their property.

However, you should not overdo that i.e. you should not start becoming hysterical about learning real estate law (lest you end up wasting a lot of time in trying to learn everything about real estate law and be left with no time to evaluate your real estate investment). Leave the intricacies of real estate law with the real estate attorneys (and to some extent real estate brokers who too are taught real estate law as part of their course for obtaining broker license).

Understanding the various legal terms referred to in real estate laws can help you in not only enhancing your understanding of real estate but also help in making your conversations with real estate attorneys/agents really fruitful. You should also note that though some of the basics remain the same, the real estate laws vary across various states. Also, real estate laws (especially the tax related real estate laws) can undergo a change over a period of time, so you need to keep a tab on such changes. Any big changes will anyhow appear prominently in news and you will get to know of them anyhow.
So knowing a little bit of real estate law can really be helpful (and is, in fact, essential).

Read more »

Asia 21 Conference

IMF and South Korea to Co-Host Asia Regional Conference to Promote Cooperative Approach Toward Global Economic Challenges

The Government of the Republic of Korea and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today announced that the high-level international conference on Asia will take place at the Daejeon Convention Center on July 12-13, 2010. Daejeon city, located two hours from Incheon International Airport, is Korea’s science and technology hub. The theme of the conference is “Asia 21: Leading the Way Forward,” reflecting Asia’s economic dynamism and global leadership role in the 21st century.

The conference will bring together more than 300 high-level participants, including finance ministers, central bank governors and other senior policymakers, as well as prominent financial and business leaders, market experts, academics, civil society representatives, and journalists.

The four key objectives of the conference are to:

• Articulate a shared vision and common agenda for Asia to support a strong global recovery, while drawing lessons from the past in a candid and constructive manner;
• Showcase Asia’s success in economic management and highlight lessons for other regions;
• Examine Asia’s economic growth model, its prospects going forward, and the implications for the global economy;
• Discuss the role of Asia in global policy formulation.

The conference program being developed jointly by the Korean authorities and the IMF will include discussion of issues such as Asia’s challenge in sustaining growth and maintaining its role as a global growth leader, financial sector challenges, including regional financial integration, and the importance of policies aimed at transforming today’s low-income countries in the region into tomorrow’s emerging markets.

Read more »

The Swimming Pool

In the tropical areas of the world, there are several breathtaking areas that you could swim in, from lakes to amazing coastal beaches. Areas such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, California, and Puerto Rico have several beaches for you to enjoy. For those of us living in the middle of the United States, take a swim and enjoying the water can be a bit more challenging.

While you can choose to go to a local swimming pool, the summer months can often leave the local pool crowded. Crowded pools can be very frustrating indeed, especially if you are looking to swim laps. If it’s a really hot summer day, the pool can be so crowded that it can be extremely hard to enjoy a nice dip in the water.

To enjoy the water, you can always invest in a swimming pool for your home. Swimming pools can add value to your home, and give you the comfort of enjoying the water anytime you take a notion. If you are craving that exotic feel, you can always add plenty of accessories to your pool, such as shade trees, lemonade, and toys. There are hundreds of accessories and furniture out there, many of which can add virtually any look you desire to your swimming pool.

During the hottest days of summer, nothing makes you relax more than a pool. During the afternoon or evening, swimming can help to make it a little cooler. By owning a swimming pool, you can go swimming anytime you please. You can even take a swim at night as well, providing you have adequate lighting outside near your swimming pool.

If you are a professional swimmer however, a swimming pool on your property just might not be enough. Sport swimming has a lot of strict requirements, including lap swimming. A traditional swimming pool in your backyard may not be the best way to swim laps. You can always get a lap pool or swim spa, although they cost a lot more money than most people are willing to invest.

When you look for your swimming pool, you’ll have to decide between an in ground pool or an above ground pool. There are several choices available to you, although most will depend greatly on your budget. If you have the money to spare, you should go with an in ground pool. These swimming pools provide the most space, and give you plenty of options to enjoy swimming.

You can also look into a fiberglass swimming pool as well. Swimming pools that are made from fiberglass are very durable, and offer you a pleasant solution to hot days. These pools are very flexible, as they can easily be lowered into a hole already in the ground. There is little to no construction involved, as most fiberglass pools are already constructed. They are also the cheapest solution to in ground pools as well. Fiberglass pools also eliminate the need for acid washing and liner replacements, as they don’t require any type of treatments.

With several options available to you, it’s easier than ever these days to have your very own swimming pool. If you are interested in a swimming pool you can look for the best prices online, or contact your local swimming pool dealer. Most pools are very affordable, and you can get some great deals if you buy at the right time. You’ll make a lot of friends with your new swimming pool - especially on hot days when the local pool is crowded.

Read more »

E-commerce market. Interest in Asia.

DHgate.com Ranked 5^th Fastest-Growing Technology Company in China by Deloitte

DHgate.com, the leading online marketplace that has revolutionized cross-border wholesale trade, has been recognized as the 5^th fastest-growing technology company in China by influential global auditing firm, Deloitte. DHgate.com, who ranked an already impressive 7th place last year, entered the prestigious top five with a three year average percentage growth of 1,771.02%.
The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 was launched in 2005 to celebrate the emergence of China’s technology sector, only a year after DHgate.com was first formed. It was at this time that DHgate.com founder and CEO, Diane Wang, took the pioneering site live.
DHgate.com was the first transactional ecommerce site to connect China-based suppliers with global buyers on one safe and streamlined platform. From search and payment to shipping and delivery, DHgate.com allows businesses to take advantage of the cost benefits of trade with China in just a few clicks of the mouse.
The significant growth achieved by the DHgate.com, which secured them the prestigious Deloitte Fast 50 award, is a result of significant technology innovations which allow small and medium businesses to compete with Big Box retailers in a way that was not possible before. The DHgate.com system leverages the collective buying power of small and medium businesses to achieve favorable rates from the world’s leading service companies. DHgate is PayPal’s largest client in APAC and is the only B2B platform to be fully integrated with UPS.
DHgate.com also utilizes Escrow, ensuring that buyer’s payments are not released to the seller until they confirm that they are completely satisfied with the goods they received – Another reason for the company’s remarkable popularity with global businesses. DHgate.com now connects more than 400,000 China-based suppliers with 2.1 million global buyers and facilitates thousands of online transactions a day.

About Deloitte Technology Fast 50 China 2008

In 2005, Deloitte China launched "Deloitte Technology Fast 50 China" award program. To qualify for this program each company must have headquarters in China or Hong Kong, generate revenues of at least US $50,000 during the first period of analysis, and be in operation for at least three years. Qualifying companies must also produce proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenue or devote a high percentage of revenue to the research and development of technology.
This year marks the 4th anniversary of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program in China, which celebrates business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship. Participants in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 China program will automatically qualify for participation in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2008 program, which annually recognizes the 500 fastest growing technological companies in Asia Pacific region.

About DHgate.com

DHgate.com is the leading online marketplace for the world’s small and medium size businesses and the largest China-based wholesale trading platform in the world. Founded in 2004 by former Joyo.com CEO, Diane Wang, DHgate serves over 2.1 million registered buyers from 230 international locations and in excess of 400,000 China-based sellers. Offering over 20 million product listings at any one time, DHgate.com facilitates thousands of successful transactions per day. DHgate.com now employs over 300 full-time employees and generates annual transaction volumes well in excess of USD$250 million.

DHgate.com is a B2B e-Commerce website serving Chinese sellers and global buyers since 2004. As a leader in B2B online trading, DHgate is proud to be PayPal's largest client in the Asia-Pacific region. Our buyers are from the US, Europe, Australia and Asia–totaling to over 230 countries worldwide. We also boast over 10 million product listings from more than 100,000 dedicated Chinese suppliers. On Dhgate.com, international buyers can purchase directly from Chinese wholesalers and factories, who offer a wide range of products at very low prices.

DHgate offers a quick-and-easy online purchasing process in addition to offering all of our clients a dedicated and knowledgeable customer service team. Our tried and tested Trust Marketing and Escrow payment processes guarantee a safe and secure purchasing environment. Unlike our competitors, DHgate has truly taken out the hassle of international trade—from product sourcing, secure payment and shipping.

Since its founding, DHgate has seen accelerating growth rate in a number of business indicators, including year-to-year gross merchandising value, number of orders, registered buyers and sellers, and listings. In the past two years, DHgate.com was funded by KPCB, JAFCO and other top-tier venture capital funds. For more information, please visit www.DHgate.com.

Read more »

NRIs Cash in on Investment Avenues Available in India

The Indian economy has emerged as one of the most robust economies of the world, as was evident during the recent global meltdown. Despite the difficult times, investments in our home land continue to be lucrative to Non Residents Indians (NRI). Funds invested in India not only yield higher returns when compared to investments in the US or other European nations, but also gives a sense of security to the investor. The private sector, characterised by its dynamic and competitive nature, has been a key driver for the economic growth witnessed by India in recent times and presents considerable scope for foreign investment.

The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) defines NRI as a person resident outside India who is an 'Indian citizen' or a 'Person of Indian Origin' (PIO). FEMA broadly regulates matters related to NRI investments viz., investment in immovable property, foreign exchange, bank deposits, government bonds, investment in shares, units, securities, and foreign direct investment in India. However, due consideration should be given to Income-tax implications on income generated from investments in India and to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations.

The purchase consideration should be met either out of inward remittances in foreign exchange through normal banking channels or out of funds from the accounts maintained in India as mentioned above. NRIs can also avail loans from commercial banks for purchase of immovable property. General approval has been granted by RBI to financial institutions for granting loans to NRIs. Repayment of loans can be made out of the NRE/NRO/FCNR accounts maintained in India.
NRIs are also allowed to transfer immovable properties to an Indian resident, NRIs or PIOs. There is no lock-in period for sale of residential/commercial property. Further, NRIs can remit abroad an amount up to $1 million per year from the sale of immovable property in India, subject to certain conditions. NRIs are also allowed to gift any residential/commercial property in India to a person resident in India or to an NRI or PIO subject to certain exceptions. Long term capital gains on transfer of immovable property are subject to 20 percent tax rate whereas the short term capital gains are subject to tax at the applicable individual slab rates.

Read more »

What is 'Citi NRI Remittance"?

The changes sweeping the country have been so rapid in the last decade that non-resident Indians either on a visit or planning a permanent return are left groping for information. Fortunately, the internet has shrunk distances and fostered the growth of an online assortment of services which caters to the specific requests of NRIs before, during and after their visit to India.

The needs of NRIs could vary from payment of bills in their absence, to getting their children admitted to reputed schools, to arranging family occasions and get-togethers, or to getting the best possible medical treatment for self or a relative in India.

With the spread of online services, a NRI these days is quite at ease as soon as he arrives in India, with car rental services, airport transfers, hotel accommodation, sightseeing trips, online booking of air and train tickets, and pre-paid telecom services arranged for even before he lands.

While NRIs serve their term abroad, several personal matters are sorted out through online professional services such as filing of tax returns, collecting and depositing rent on property and payment of insurance premium.

Similarly, overseas Indians returning home are better equipped to handle re-location blues with the deft handling of major worries on a well-appointed accommodation, a reputed school, availing a car loan, opening a bank account, and making investments

NRI property buyers are relying heavily on online services at a small fee, as against depending on their friends and relatives to maintain their properties. Apart from assisting NRIs in selecting, purchasing and leasing property, personalized services for NRIs are extending to security services to keep a watch on their assets in their absence.

Furthermore, online legal services are a boon to NRIs who are entangled in litigation in India. Legal solutions and off-court mediation services by legal experts have brought much relief to overseas Indians who are unable to attend to these issues personally.

Touching the NRI emotionally and spiritually, virtual prayer rooms and offerings to deities in temples in India have caught the fancy of overseas Indians. Internet services are also fulfilling the wishes of NRIs who have lost their loved ones during their stay abroad, taking on the responsibility of having the ashes immersed in the holy rivers in India.
The gamut of on-line services for NRIs is infinite, and ever growing to meet individual requirements. At NRI Realty News, we offer customised solutions to meet your needs. So, if you have a specific requirement, do contact us.

Read more »

5 Tips For Fountain Pens Gift Giving

Fountain pens make great gifts. They're personal, stylish and fun, not to mention very useful in everyday life.

There are so many fine pens to choose from, and you can guarantee personalization by having them engraved. However, because there are a lot of options, choosing the "right" pen for that special person on your gift list can be intimidating. Here are some tips for making it easy and enjoyable instead.

Tip #1: Focus on the other person's preferences, not your own.
If you like the same things, you've got it made. But that's usually not the case. Put yourself in the other person's shoes and you're off to a good start.

Tip #2: What type of writing instrument?
There are four choices: Fountain Pen, Ball Point Pen, Rollerball Pen and Mechanical Pencil. What type is used as an everyday writing instrument? How about for special occasions like signing documents or writing personal correspondence? What is his or her profession? Answering these questions will help you determine the type.

Tip #3: Evaluate a handwriting sample of the person.
This is especially helpful if you're going to pick out a fountain pen. And it's easier than it may sound. For instance, a fine nib is your best bet for smaller writing or writing that has slimmer lines. On the other hand, a medium to broad sized nib works well for writing that's larger and darker. If the sample wasn't written with a fountain pen, it will either confirm or change the decision you made as a result of Tip #2.

Tip #4: Decide how much you want to spend.
This can help you narrow the field and not get too distracted. But give yourself a reasonable range so you'll still have plenty of choices. Sometimes a slightly more expensive writing instrument will make a big difference in quality, performance and appearance.

Tip #5: What's the person's style?
Is he or she traditional, a trendsetter or somewhere in between? Get your clues from personal or business attire, accessories such as watches, jewelry and eyewear, even what the person drives. These answers will help you pick a pen brand, finish, color and more, until you've made your final selection.

Fountain pens make great gifts. They're personal, stylish and fun, not to mention very useful in everyday life.

Read more »

FIber Optic Microphone

A fiber optic microphone is provided for measuring fluctuating pressures. An optical fiber probe having at least one transmitting fiber for transmitting light to a pressure-sensing membrane and at least one receiving fiber for receiving light reflected from a stretched membrane is provided. The pressure-sensing membrane may be stretched for high frequency response. Further, a reflecting surface of the pressure-sensing membrane may have dimensions which substantially correspond to dimensions of a cross section of the optical fiber probe. Further, the fiber optic microphone can be made of materials for use in high temperature environments, for example greater than 1000 F. A fiber optic probe is also provided with a backplate for damping membrane motion. The backplate further provides a means for on-line calibration of the microphone.
Optically driven communications products,microphones and headphones, remove the need for battery power sources at the end user or electrical wire links to the user.

Our fiber optic microphones and fiber optic communications earplugs can be located at large distances from the communication source without risk of EMI interference or radiation of communication signals from the connecting fiber optic cables. Additionally, no power sources such as batteries are required at the end user.

Our OCEP optically powered earplugs connecting wire links to active earplugs worn under earmuffs or helmets. This improves user acceptance through ease of don and doff and removal of snag hazards.

The Fibersound Fiber Optic Microphone provides interference free communication in electrically noisy environments. The microphone uses a patented optical system that converts acoustic signals directly to a modulated light intensity signal. Since no electrical signals generated in the microphone or the fiber optic cables the fiber optic microphone provides secure and interference free communication in chemically or electrically hazardous conditions. Available with completely non-metallic construction to permit use in areas of high magnetic fields such as the bore of an MRI.

Fiber optic technology overcomes limitations of traditional electrical technology for electrically noisy environments, hazardous ambient environments and secure data situations where radiated electrical signals cannot be tolerated.

Industry / Applications

* Medical: Communications in MRI magnet bore
* Testing: Noise analysis in high EMI
* Industrial: High EMI and spark hazard locations
* Military: Crew communications and intercoms

The Fibersound Fiber Optic Microphone, Model FOM1, provides interference free communication in electrically noisy environments. The microphone uses a patented optical system that converts acoustic signals directly to a modulated light intensity signal. Since no electrical signals generated in the microphone or the fiber optic cables the fiber optic microphone provides secure and interference free communication in chemically or electrically hazardous conditions. Available with completely non-metallic construction to permit use in areas of high magnetic fields. Standard cable length 30 meters. The low light loss in the fiber allows cable lengths up to 1500 meters without the need for intermediate amplification

Read more »

Under water microphones

Under water microphones, or hydrophones, come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and materials. One underwater microphone might be very expensive and work very well for oil and gas exploration, but may not work well for listening for whales and dolphins. So buying the most expensive unit you can find doesn't necessarily guarantee it will do the job.

Many people think that underwater microphones are nothing more than a cheap standard microphone in a waterproof case. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sound transmission in water is much different that sound in air. A microphone that works well in at a karaoke bar won't work in water!

Hydrophones, real underwater microphones, are generally made from piezoelectric materials that generate small voltages when deformed. Sound wave hitting the piezoelectric element create stresses in the material which are converted into an electrical signal. This signal is amplified and fed into a set of earphones, or connected to an external speaker system, or tape recorder.

Dolphinear hydrophones uses a sensitive MPC piezoelectric element encased in a special epoxy. This provides high sensitivity and an excellent frequency. Because of their unique housing they are very rugged and able to withstand abuse.

Introducing the world's first affordable underwater listening device! Just slip on the earphones, and drop the 'hydrophone' into the sea ~ you're instantly transported into the magical world of 'Live Underwater Sound'.

The most common reaction from first-time users of DolphinEAR is "WOW! I didn't know there was so much sound in the sea!"

Hear whales, dolphins, manatees, seals, fish, shrimp and more. Hear man-made sounds from boats, ships and even submarines. Hear natural phenomenon like an underwater landslide or the cracking of ice on a river or lake.

It's FUN! DolphinEAR introduces children and adults to an aspect of the natural world that was previously hidden. It encourages exploration, understanding and appreciation of the natural undersea world and the planet on which we live.

DolphinEAR is not a toy - it's a high quality, value-oriented instrument that will provide many years of enjoyment and instill in all an unbridled sense of wonder and amazement.

Whether you use it for casual listening, or for serious research, you'll find DolphinEAR meets your requirements. As a bonus, we've even provided free software that lets you 'SEE' underwater sounds on your PC computer screen.

Identify individual dolphins by their own unique 'signature whistle'. Make high quality digital recordings of 'whale songs' that can be stored on your hard disk. It even prints colorful sound charts for use in presentations, science fair project, or Master's Thesis.

Read more »

Why

Many articles supply answers, but here I do not. Here, I ask the questions. If you want to rack your brains for finding the answers to these life conundrums. But, I warn you. Beware. These are not easy, and though somewhat hilarious and funny, they are real and true to life.

Should I begin? Ok, here I go:

1) How come Tarzan has no bears even though he grows up with wolves in the jungle?

2) Why does glue not stick to the insides of the tube or can that it comes in?

3) Why do they use sterile injections when executing someone who is condemned to death?

4) Why do we press down harder and harder or the remote controls even though we know that the batteries are low?

5) Why is it that when someone hits us in the ankles with his supermarket trolley and then appologizes, do we say that everything is ok? I mean, things are not really fine. Why is it that we do not say that it hurts?

6) Why is it that whatever the color of the bath soap, the bubbles are always white?

7) Why is it that you will never find a day when mattresses are not on sale?

8) Why is it that online casinos always offer big prize money for their tournaments but never reveal the real name of the winner after the competition is over?

9) If human beings evolved from monkeys, why is it that there still are monkeys?

10) Why did the Japanese Kamikaze pilots wear helmets during the second World War?

11) Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest but, then, duck when the empty gun is thrown at him.

12) Why do banks charge a commission when you go into debt even though they know that there is no money in that account?

13) Why do people go back again and again to the refrigerator hoping that something new to eat will appear there?

14) Why do people move their vacuum cleaner over a thin thread lying on the floor, bend down, pick it up, examine it, and then, place it on the floor again and move the vacuum over it again?

15) Why do people believe it when they are told that there are more than four billion stars, but when they see a sign that says wet paint, they have to touch and check?

16) Why does a plastic bag not open at the end where you first try to open it?

17) Why do you never hear jokes about father in laws?

18) Why are there dead insects inside enclosed electric lamps?

19) Why is it that in winter we try and keep the house as warm as it was during the summer when back in the summer we hated the heat?

20) Why is it that every time you try and catch something that is about to fall off the table, you always hit something else and drop that instead?

Conclusion:
Life has many oddities and conundrums: some funny, some less. I have mentioned but a few. Think of more? Send them to me.

Why do some things happen the way they do. Here, I point out some of the unique conundrums existing on earth.

Read more »

UNDERWATER DIGITAL CAMERA

UNDERWATER DIGITAL CAMERA: CAPTURING MOMENTS UNDERWATER

Memories are created just about anywhere. And when I say anywhere, I mean that memories are even created underwater – so the creation of underwater digital camera.

An underwater digital camera is not just used to capture underwater memories; some professional marine photographers also use underwater digital cameras in their business. Even marine biologists and scientists use underwater digital cameras to capture marine life and thus be able to study the life and properties of the marine life. But I think it is safe to assume that you, my reader, are neither a marine scientist nor a professional photographer. Like me, you are just some photo junkie who wants to capture underwater moments and just cant figure out how without ruining your cameras.

Please listen to me when I say that even waterproof cameras cannot withstand underwater photography. To be waterproof is to resist the water in certain levels, submerging in under the water to get the perfect shot is like throwing it out of the window expecting a pick-up truck to pass by and run over it.

Now if you’re really serious about using an underwater digital camera to capture those wacky and funny moments underwater, I suggest that you buy specialty cameras.

There are rarely underwater digital cameras, as cameras are electronic and cannot withstand water and water pressure. The closest electronics has ever got to producing underwater digital cameras are producing underwater casings for digital cameras. These casing will turn your conventional digital camera into an underwater digital camera.

If you are shooting with your underwater digital camera, you need to take note of a few things to help you come up with the best images underwater.

Remember that as you farther under water, light diffuses. This means that your underwater digital camera will produce images darker than those images you took while on land – this is because of the light diffusion the red spectrum seems darker. To avoid this, use white balance come up with natural colors. Also, pictures taken underwater will come up larger than pictures taken on land with the same zoom effect. Be sure to check your underwater digital camera’s viewfinder to check the right picture angle and size that you want.

An underwater digital camera with its built-in flash will produce marine show phenomenon. It is a phenomenon wherein your pictures come out as blurry and with white particles floating above it, to avoid this phenomenon it is advisable to use external flash for your underwater digital camera.

Before using your underwater digital camera, submerge the camera in the water first for several seconds then check if there are leaks through the case. Make sure that no grain of sand or piece of hair is stuck in between the seal to make sure that water will not permeate the case and thus wet your camera in the process. It is also advisable to put silica gel or two inside the case of your underwater digital camera as long as they don’t disturb the camera’s operation. (Silica gel will keep the moisture from forming inside your camera case.)

Most underwater digital cameras come with optional lenses. Don’t be afraid to add these lenses to your underwater digital camera kit. Macro lenses will help you capture small things without getting too close and startling your subject.

Also, remember to always wash of salt when you’ve used it under salt water. If the salts are not washed off, in time they will crystallize; act as sands and cause leaks for your camera case. In cases when sands seem to get into the case, they are better washed off with streams of water.

Check out Sony, Nikon and Canon’s website for available underwater cases for your digital cameras.

Read more »

5 Reasons To Choose Digital Camcorders

We all have those special moments in life that we want to remember forever, but the truth is that memories are often better preserved on video so that we may recall the particulars of any given event. This is why camcorders are such an important part of every special occasion and have been for many years. As time has progressed, the construction of camcorders has changed greatly. What was once a large and bulky piece of equipment later went to a compact VHS-compatible system, which has now transformed into the sleek and lightweight design of today’s digital camcorders.

During your next electronics shopping trip, take a moment to explore the features found on modern digital camcorders. Whether your shopping consists of a local electronic store or a virtual shop, take a look at a handful of reasons to consider choosing a digital camcorder:

$Digital camcorders have the ability to record audio and video, but also are capable of capturing still life images just as a digital camera would. Not only can you film all of those once-in-a-lifetime moments, but you can also snap a few still images of knick knacks and list them for sale on eBay.

$Digital camcorders offer a much greater audio and video quality when compared to the older models, which recorded video in analog format and often resulted in a grainy texture.

$One of the most important features of a digital camcorder is the fact that they can be connected to either a television or a computer. Previous camcorders were compatible with VHS only, which was effective, but technology now requires that compatibility be geared toward additional equipment.

$Because they are compatible with computers, digital camcorders are widely used by amateur film gurus and/or anyone who wants to enjoy the convenience of being able to easily edit and enhance their videos through the use of specialty computer software.

$Digital camcorders are compact and lightweight, which makes them ideal for travel. In addition, they are easy to manage during recording.

As is the case with any major purchase, cost is often a leading factor in the decision of which product to choose. When it comes to digital camcorders, the price will be determined by the built-in features and capabilities of the unit. A basic digital camcorder can be purchased for several hundred dollars and the price will rise according to the aforementioned factors.

With the purchase of any new electronic equipment, the manufacturer will offer a warranty. Always be sure to retain the original sales receipt, packaging and warranty information relating to your digital camcorder incase there is a problem that needs repair anytime during the coverage period.
We all have those special moments in life that we want to remember forever, but the truth is that memories are often better preserved on video so that we may recall the particulars of any given event. This is why camcorders are such an important part of every special occasion and have been for many years. As time has progressed, the construction of camcorders has changed greatly. What was once a large and bulky piece of equipment later went to a compact VHS-compatible system,...

Read more »